You know what argument against sustainable travel is absolute nonsense? That traveling sustainably is always going to cost more. Yes, sustainable travel is sometimes more expensive, it requires us to do more research and work on ourselves. But spend more money? You don’t have to. In fact, you can actually save money by going sustainable! We’ll show you how!

The most important rule for sustainable travel: Planning

Yes, you read that right. If you’re traveling on a budget, or can’t or won’t go overspend, you need to plan and book a lot of things in advance. First and foremost, your transportation and accommodations. Sure, you can get lucky with last-minute bargains, but in most cases you will end up paying more elsewhere. For example: You book a dirt-cheap last-minute flight (never mind that flying is unsustainable!), but you have to pay a lot for your last-minute accommodations because there are hardly any options left, all the low-budget options are fully booked, or only the terrible accommodations are available.

So remember: If you want to travel on a budget, book early! Spontaneous bookings are expensive!

However, that doesn’t mean you have to plan your entire vacation in advance. It’s great to just go with the flow when you get there, talk to the locals, and then decide what you want to do!

Tips for your budget

When planning your low-budget trip, the first step is to determine your budget. How much can you spend? And how much do you want to spend? You should also be clear about what is important to you. For example, if a decent hotel is important to you, plan to spend a little more on that and a little less on activities that cost money. If certain (and expensive) experiences are more important to you, you may want to cut back on your accommodations.

Either way, write your thoughts down! Believe us, it makes a difference to have your budget in black and white next to you as you plan, not just in your head!

Low Budget and sustainable travel: Planning questions

How would you like to travel?

Planning a city trip? Want to enjoy a beach vacation? Go hiking? Experience nature? Think about what is important to you.

Sustainable because: You think about your trip in advance and can make sustainable decisions from the start. For example, you don’t fly to Bali for a beach vacation because that’s what everyone else is doing, but you choose a vacation in Italy or Croatia.

Where do I get what I want?

Some destinations are cheaper than others because, for example, they are not yet overrun with tourists. Or because costs are generally lower than in your home country. Examples of such destinations are Albania, Croatia, or, if you want to go further afield, Vietnam

Sustainable because: By traveling to less touristy areas instead of the popular hotspots, you help spread out the flow of people and counteract mass tourism. You also support the economy of a destination that would otherwise not benefit as much from travelers.

When do I want to travel? Or even: Does it really have to be high season?

Of course, if you are tied to vacation times or the like, you have little choice. But if you have a choice, it’s better to travel off-season. Accommodations and activities are often less expensive and it’s less crowded. In the low season, which follows the high season, almost everything is still open (restaurants, activities, etc.). The further away from the high season you travel, the cheaper the prices will be, but the more restaurants and other places may be closed.

Sustainable because: Similar to choosing a destination, by traveling off-season, you not only help your wallet, but also spread out the tourist traffic over a longer period of time. In addition, you support the usually highly seasonal income of the owners and provide them with a more reliable income.

Travel: Affordable and sustainable options

How do I get to my destination?

The journey is the reward” applies not only to slow travel, but also to planning a sustainable budget trip. Having this mindset is literally worth its weight in gold. If you treat your trip as part of your vacation, you will be more relaxed about the whole thing. Trust us 😉 So plan your trip, check out the trains (if you book early, they are usually not that expensive), or if you drive an (e-)car, plan to drive a little slower (saves fuel and CO2) and make a stopover for long trips. The cheapest option is often the long-distance bus. And since the network is constantly expanding, it has become a real alternative in recent years! According to recent surveys, it is also as environmentally friendly as the train. You can read more about this in our blog article about long-distance bus destinations in Europe.

Sustainable because: Traveling by train and bus is the most environmentally friendly choice. Buses are usually the cheapest, but trains can also be quite inexpensive (if you book well in advance). However, we understand if you don’t want to (or can’t) rely on trains and prefer to travel by car. However, you can still apply the slow travel principle 😉

 
Where and how do I want to stay?

We know where we want to go, when we want to travel, and how we want to get there. The only thing we don’t have is a place to stay. For travelers on a budget, there are many options, from couchsurfing, housesitting and wwoofing to hostels or hotels. It all depends on your personal preferences, expectations and time constraints. Since we know hotels best, we’ll focus on that.

As always, the best time to book is early! Some hotels even offer discounts if you book early! Check out the deals and packages the hotels have available and ideally choose a room with a small kitchenette or opt for an apartment or house with a kitchen so you can cook for yourself. You can often get special rates for longer stays. When in doubt, it is always worth asking the hotel directly (and booking anyway).

Sustainable accommodation for less than 100 euros

Sustainable accommodations are available for almost every budget. Even in the heart of Paris, Green Spirit Hotels offer private rooms and organic breakfasts without breaking the bank. You can also find cozy, family-friendly accommodations at the APIPURA hotel rinner on the Ritten in South Tyrol, where rooms start at €89.00 (including half-board).

Sustainable because: You know us: we firmly believe that choosing sustainable accommodations (along with how you get there) is at the heart of sustainable travel. Whether it’s budget, luxury or anything in between.

What do I really want to experience?

To avoid tourist traps, long lines, or worse, missing out on your personal must-do or must-see, we recommend thinking about it in advance and building it into your budget planning. You can often book time slots for attractions or museums in advance and even get online discounts! (Some museums and similar places now even require you to do this!) You can also check out tourist passes from home and see if they are worthwhile for you, and you can compare tour providers if you want to take a particular tour. Of course, this does not apply to everything, as there are bound to be a number of (local) operators who are not represented on the Internet. Keep this in mind and find a good balance between planning and booking in advance and being spontaneous when you get there.

Sustainable because: Research the area around your destination in advance. This will help you learn when certain attractions are packed so you can avoid those times. You may also find an insider tip or two for local restaurants or tour operators that you would not have found otherwise, and you will generally get a feel for your destination. You’ll also be less likely to be tempted into unsustainable activities once you get there. After all, you have a plan – one that you can and should be flexible with 🙂

Sustainable travel “on a budget” is not complicated

Budget travel in general, and sustainable budget travel in particular, requires a higher level of planning than if you were going on a spur-of-the-moment adventure. In most cases – don’t get us wrong!

With all the planning, there is only one thing to remember: Have fun! Don’t just look at your budget once you get there; stay spontaneous and open to opportunities to experience your vacation spot or destination authentically. You can lay the groundwork for this with sustainable budget travel planning.

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